Environmental Education
seed design
Grade: 6
Duration: 60 minutes
Location: Home/Backyard/Park
Materials:
● Journals/paper ● Pen/Pencil ● Colored Pencils or Crayons
● Clay/Playdough (Optional, Recipes provided online)
● Pipe Cleaners (Optional)
● Construction Paper
● Scissors
● Tape or Glue
● 5 Containers (tupperware, cups, etc.)
● Dispersal visuals (provided online)
● Seed Visuals (provided online)
● Seeds you collect (Optional)
● Computer/Tablet
Lesson Preparation:
● Print out and cut dispersal and seed visuals or have them readily available on a computer/tablet.
● Collect a variety of seeds (if available) around your neighborhood. Seeds could also be collected from the kitchen (beans, sunflower seeds, etc.) Put aside for lesson use – If seeds are unavailable, print out or open on a computer/tablet the seed dispersal and plant visuals.
● Label each container with one dispersal method (Wind, Water, Animal, Explosion, Fire). Set aside for activity.
● Ensure paper, writing materials, and craft materials are available for the students
Objectives: Students will
● Identify characteristics of four different seeds by sharing their observations.
● Arrange seeds according to their dispersal adaptation by placing or recording the seed visuals with the correct dispersal type.
● Design a seed that has at least two dispersal adaptations using provided materials.
● Determine the importance of multiple dispersal adaptations of seeds through discussion.
Homemade Playdough – Recipe pdf
Choose 1 Recipe
Materials: recipe option 1
● 1 cup flour
● 1 tablespoon powdered alum
● ½ cup salt
● 1 cup water
● 1 tablespoon oil
● Vanilla extract (desired amount, optional)
● Food Coloring (optional)
Materials: recipe option 2
● 1 cup flour
● ¼ cup salt
● ¾ cup water
● 3 tablespoon lemon juice
● Seasonings (optional)
Materials: recipe option 3
● 2 cups baking soda
● 1 ½ cups water
● 1 cup cornstarch
● Essential oils (optional)
Instructions:
● In a heat safe/microwaveable bowl or cooking pot, mix together the dry ingredients and set aside.
● In a saucepan, mix the liquid ingredients (except food coloring and essential oils) and cook over medium heat.
● Consistently stir until the liquid is hot, but not boiling. Carefully pour liquid into the bowl/pot of dry ingredients and stir until the mixture stiffens.
● When cool to the touch, knead the playdough mixture with your hands until it reaches desired consistency. Use as is or divide into smaller balls and add a few drops of food coloring or natural dyes for colored playdough.
● Add seasonings, natural food dyes, or essential oils to add smells or colors to the playdough!